Goldeyes 2 Jackals 0

There was almost nothing but zeros on the score board Wednesday night, but the Fish managed to edge the Jackals and sweep the series for their fifth-straight win. There was 6,656 fans at Shaw Park.

Goldeyes' starting pitcher Chris Salamida and the Jackals' Keith Bilodeau battled head-to-head in a pitching duel that was ultimately decided by the smallest of openings. Both teams racked up seven hits.

In the third, with two out and Ryan Pineda on second after being walked and then advancing on the previous play, Tyler Kuhn slapped a shot to right field that allowed Pineda to easily cross home plate. But a smart play by the Jackals' catcher got Kuhn out at second base as he was trying to extend the hit into a double. It was as close as few feet but Pineda touched the plate in time for the run to count and put the Fish up 1-0.

Pineda was 1-for-1 with one hit and three free trips to first base.

Bilodeau deserves credit for his outstanding performance on the mound. In the sixth, Jake Blackwood singled to left field, which looked to have been a great opportunity to spark some offence but Bilodeau shut it down.

After forcing back-to-back fly outs from Kuhn and first baseman Casey Haerther, the Jackals pitcher closed out any chance of breaking away by sitting down outfielder Reggie Abercrombie to end the inning.

But the Fish finally added some insurance (albeit Bilodeau was pulled after the seventh inning) in the eighth after Pineda forced his walk of the game. Next batter Brock Bond grounded into the Jackals' infielder that took out Pindeda at second. Then a single from Blackwood and an overthrown ball from Jackals' right fielder Felix Sanchex allowed Bond to safely run in for the score and the win.

The win made it two-straight games where the Jackals failed to score a run.

On the Mound

Salamida was Salamida. Just like manager Rick Forney has said all season long, he's their guy when it comes to shutting down a team. The veteran pitcher went 7.2 shut out innings, giving up six hits and striking out four. The win moves Salamida's record to 7-4 on the season. Brendan Lafferty came in to pick up the save for Fish, with three batters up and three batter down to end the game.

Up Next

The Fish continue their home-stand today as they begin a four-game series with the Sioux Falls Canaries. The game starts at 7 p.m. at Shaw Park.

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